Former Hobbs priest cleared of sexual assault charge following case dismissal

Charges against the former Hobbs Catholic priest accused of criminal sexual contact that allegedly took place at church he offered mass at have been dropped.

The decision to drop the charges took place last week, just days before he was set to stand trial for the alleged crime.

Former St. Helena Catholic Church priest Ricardo Bauza faced allegations that he got into a shower with an adult male and proceeded to wash the victim’s body with a loofah. The alleged incident took place in the church rectory at St. Helena in Hobbs.

After Police were were notified of the allegations in October of 2017, authorities began their investigation and eventually issued a warrant for Bauza’s arrest.

Time passed before Bauza voluntarily surrendered to the Hobbs Police Department in February, 2018, more than three months after the warrant was issued.

Jason Bowles, attorney for Bauza, described the dismissal of the case as “the appropriate decision.”

Fifth Judicial District Attorney Diana Luce declined to comment.